Identification of cis- and trans-acting factors regulating the expression of rat salivary-specific RP4 gene

The molecular basis of tissue-specific and cyclic AMP (cAMP)-inducible gene expression in salivary glands is not well understood. Previously, we cloned a salivary-specific proline-rich protein gene, RP4. To analyze the cis-regulatory element(s) that mediates the regulation of this rat salivary RP4 gene, chimeric pRP4CAT constructs containing up to 1.7 kb of the 5'-flanking region of RP4 fused to a reporter gene were transiently transfected into salivary cells. Deletion studies suggest that a 159 bp (-147/+12) fragment of the RP4 5'-flanking region is sufficient to confer salivary-specific induction by agents that can raise intracellular cAMP concentration. Further delineation of this essential sequence revealed that a segment from -136 to -109 is necessary and sufficient to confer cAMP responsiveness in a salivary-specific manner when linked to a heterologous promoter. However, this 28 bp fragment (-136/-109) does not contain an identical match to the consensus cAMP response element (CRE). DNA mobility shift binding assays establish that a sequence-specific DNA-protein complex is formed between this DNA fragment and nuclear proteins from salivary cells, but not with nuclear proteins from HeLa cells, which contain canonical CRE binding proteins (CREBs). Taken together, these data demonstrate that we have identified a 28 bp cis-regulatory element in the RP4 gene that mediates salivary-specific cAMP-inducible gene expression. We propose that the novel salivary-specific CRE binding protein (SCBP) is a key regulator for salivary cAMP-inducible gene expression.

The Role of Autophagy in Salivary Gland Homeostasis and Stress Responses

Autophagy is a catabolic process that has been shown to have a role in many cellular processes including the removal of excessive or damaged proteins and protein aggregates. The salivary glands play a critical role in oral health, and their secretory capacity may be critically intertwined with the autophagic process. This review describes the role of autophagy activation in normal salivary gland homeostasis and during the glandular stress responses of therapeutic radiation, ductal ligation, autoimmunity, and salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Deletion of ATG5 shows a role of autophagy in salivary homeostatic control

Autophagy is a catabolic pathway utilized to maintain a balance among the synthesis, degradation, and recycling of cellular components, thereby playing a role in cell growth, development, and homeostasis. Previous studies revealed that a conditional knockout of essential member(s) of autophagy in a variety of tissues causes changes in structure and function of these tissues. Acinar cell-specific expression of knocked-in Cre recombinase through control of aquaporin 5 (Aqp5) promoter/enhancer (Aqp5-Cre) allows us to specifically inactivate Atg5, a protein necessary for autophagy, in salivary acinar cells of Atg5(f/f);Aqp5-Cre mice. There was no difference in apoptotic or proliferation levels in salivary glands of Atg5/Cre mice from each genotype. However, H&E staining and electron microscopy studies revealed modestly enlarged acinar cells and accumulated secretory granules in salivary glands of Atg5(f/f);Aqp5-Cre mice. Salivary flow rates and amylase contents of Atg5/Cre mice indicated that acinar-specific inactivation of ATG5 did not alter carbachol-evoked saliva and amylase secretion. Conversely, autophagy intersected with salivary morphological and secretory manifestations induced by isoproterenol administration. These results identified a role for autophagy as a homeostasis control in salivary glands. Collectively, Atg5(f/f);Aqp5-Cre mice would be a useful tool to enhance our understanding of autophagy in adaptive responses following targeted head and neck radiation or Sjögren syndrome.

Role of SUMO:SIM-mediated protein-protein interaction in non-homologous end joining

Although post-translational modifications by the small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO) are known to be important in DNA damage response, it is unclear whether they have a role in double-strand break (DSB) repair by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Here, we analyzed various DSB repair pathways upon inhibition of SUMO-mediated protein-protein interactions using peptides that contain the SUMO-interaction motif (SIM) and discriminate between mono- and SUMO-chain modifications. The SIM peptides specifically inhibit NHEJ as shown by in vivo repair assays and radio-sensitivity of cell lines deficient in different DSB repair pathways. Furthermore, mono-SUMO, instead of SUMO-chain, modifications appear to be involved in NHEJ. Immunoprecipitation experiments also showed that the SIM peptide interacted with SUMOylated Ku70 after radiation. This study is the first to show an important role for SUMO:SIM-mediated protein-protein interactions in NHEJ, and provides a mechanistic basis for the role of SIM peptide in sensitizing genotoxic stress of cancer cells.

Requirement for high mobility group protein HMGI-C interaction with STAT3 inhibitor PIAS3 in repression of alpha-subunit of epithelial Na+ channel (alpha-ENaC) transcription by Ras activation in salivary epithelial cells

Previously, we have demonstrated that oxidative stress or Ras/ERK activation leads to the transcriptional repression of alpha-subunit of epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) in lung and salivary epithelial cells. Here, we further investigated the coordinated molecular mechanisms by which alpha-ENaC expression is regulated. Using both stable and transient transfection assays, we demonstrate that the overexpression of high mobility group protein I-C (HMGI-C), a Ras/ERK-inducible HMG-I family member, represses glucocorticoid receptor (GR)/dexamethasone (Dex)-stimulated alpha-ENaC/reporter activity in salivary epithelial cells. Northern analyses further confirm that the expression of endogenous alpha-ENaC gene in salivary Pa-4 cells is suppressed by an ectopic HMGI-C overexpression. Through yeast two-hybrid screening and co-immunoprecipitation assays from eukaryotic cells, we also discovered the interaction between HMGI-C and PIAS3 (protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3)). A low level of ectopically expressed PIAS3 cooperatively inhibits GR/Dex-dependent alpha-ENaC transcription in the presence of HMGI-C. Reciprocally, HMGI-C expression also coordinately enhances PIAS3-mediated repression of STAT3-dependent transactivation. Moreover, overexpression of antisense HMGI-C construct is capable of reversing the repression mediated by Ras V12 on GR- and STAT3-dependent transcriptional activation. Together, our results demonstrate that Ras/ERK-mediated induction of HMGI-C is required to effectively repress GR/Dex-stimulated transcription of alpha-ENaC gene and STAT3-mediated transactivation. These findings delineate a network of inhibitory signaling pathways that converge on HMGI-C.PIAS3 complex, causally associating Ras/ERK activation with the repression of both GR and STAT3 signaling pathways in salivary epithelial cells.

Etk/Bmx activation modulates barrier function in epithelial cells

Etk/Bmx is a member of the Tec family of cytoplasmic non-receptor tyrosine kinases known to express in epithelial cells. We demonstrate herein that Etk activation in stably Etk-transfected epithelial Pa-4 cells resulted in a consistently increased transepithelial resistance (TER). After 24 h of hypoxic (1% O2) exposure, the TER and equivalent active ion transport rate ( I eq) were reduced to <5% of the normoxia control in Pa-4 cells, whereas both TER and I eqwere maintained at comparable and 60% levels, respectively, relative to their normoxic controls in cells with Etk activation. Moreover, Pa-4 cells exhibited an abundant actin stress fiber network with a diffuse distribution of β-catenin at the cell periphery. By contrast, Etk-activated cells displayed a redistribution of actin to an exclusively peripheral network, with a discrete band of β-catenin also concentrated at the cell periphery, and an altered occludin distribution profile. On the basis of these findings, we propose that Etk may be a novel regulator of epithelial junctions during physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase D1, a potential regulator and effector for Tec family kinases

Etk, also named Bmx, is a member of the Tec tyrosine kinase family, which is characterized by a multimodular structure including a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, an SH3 domain, an SH2 domain, and a catalytic domain. The signaling mechanisms regulating Etk kinase activity remain largely unknown. To identify factor(s) regulating Etk activity, we used the PH domain and a linker region of Etk as a bait for a yeast two-hybrid screen. Three independent clones encoding protein-tyrosine phosphatase D1 (PTPD1) fragments were isolated. The binding of PTPD1 to Etk is specific since PTPD1 cannot associate with either the Akt PH domain or lamin. In vitro and in vivo binding studies demonstrated that PTPD1 can interact with Etk and that residues 726-848 of PTPD1 are essential for this interaction. Deletion analysis of Etk indicated that the PH domain is essential for PTPD1 interaction. Furthermore, the Etk-PTPD1 interaction stimulated the kinase activity of Etk, resulting in an increased phosphotyrosine content in both factors. The Etk-PTPD1 interaction also increased Stat3 activation. The effect of PTPD1 on Etk activation is specific since PTPD1 cannot potentiate Jak2 activity upon Stat3 activation. In addition, Tec (but not Btk) kinase can also be activated by PTPD1. Taken together, these findings indicate that PTPD1 can selectively associate with and stimulate Tec family kinases and modulate Stat3 activation.

Salivary cellular signaling and gene regulation

Protein tyrosine kinase and protein serine kinase activation has been implicated in the regulation of salivary cell proliferation and differentiation. Aberrant expression and alterations of certain tyrosine or serine kinases, such as Raf or erbB2, are known to trigger salivary tumor development (Li et al., 1997; Cho et al., 1999). It has been estimated that there are about 1000 to 2000 protein kinases in the mammalian genome, with 100 to 200 of them (i.e., 10%) being tyrosine kinase (Hanks and Hunter, 1995). At present, there are approximately 85 different tyrosine kinases identified in the GenBank database. Based on the relatively slow rate of discovery in the past few years, 100 is a better approximation of the total number of tyrosine kinases encoded by each mammalian genome. It is reasonable to assume that there are about 30 to 50 tyrosine kinases expressed in a given cell at a given differentiation/proliferation stage. This number is large enough to provide a characteristic tissue-specific tyrosine kinase expression profile, but small enough to be identified in a simple screening. The hope for tyrosine kinases as differentiation or proliferation markers rests with the possibility for the identification and characterization of a differentiation/proliferation stage-specific expression pattern in salivary cells. Several ligands that transmit signal through receptor tyrosine kinases and/or Ras/Raf/ERK kinases have been extensively studied in salivary cells. This review focuses mainly on the signaling pathways activated by Raf and Etk.

Identification of a novel taxol-sensitive kinase activity associated with the cytoskeleton

The microtubule-targeted drug, taxol, enhances assembly of alphabeta tubulin dimers into microtubules. Recent work has established that taxol also elicits diverse effects on intracellular signaling. In-gel kinase assays with myelin basic protein as substrate revealed that taxol treatment significantly (P </= 0.05) reduced the activity of a 55 kD kinase present in cytoskeletal extracts from CV-1 cells. In vitro phosphorylation of myelin basic protein by tubulin immunoprecipitates revealed a comparable activity, consistent with the association of this kinase activity with microtubules. This novel kinase activity was detected in the cytoskeletal fraction of several other cell types including 10T12 fibroblasts and PC-3 prostate carcinoma cells, but was not detected in cytoskeletal fractions from HeLa cells. This taxol-sensitive kinase activity may participate in conveying information about taxol-induced structural changes in microtubules to changes in intracellular signaling.

Differential regulation of rat aquaporin-5 promoter/enhancer activities in lung and salivary epithelial cells

Aquaporin-5 (AQP5) is a water channel protein that is selectively expressed in respiratory, salivary, and lacrimal tissues. In order to establish the tissue-specific transcriptional programs that underlie its lung- and salivary-specific expression, a 4.5-kilobase pair DNA fragment encompassing the 5'-flanking region of the rat AQP5 gene has been characterized in detail. A major transcription start site utilized in lung and salivary glands has been localized downstream of a TATAA-like motif. Transient transfection assays of -4.3- and -1.7-AQP5-luciferase constructs in AQP5-expressing lung (MLE-15) and salivary (Pa-4) cells and nonexpressing fibroblast (NIH3T3) and epithelial (HeLa) cells demonstrate preferential transcriptional enhancement of reporter activities in MLE-15 and Pa-4 cells. Transient transfection assays of a series of 5' --> 3' deletion constructs of -4.3-AQP5-luciferase suggest that a common salivary and lung enhancer is located between nucleotides -274 and -139, and a lung-specific enhancer is located between nucleotides -894 and -710. There is one putative lung-specific repressor located in the region of nucleotides -1003/-894 and a common lung and salivary repressor located at nucleotides -503/-385. Moreover, 3' --> 5' deletions up to -171 and -127 base pairs almost abolish transcriptional activation in salivary and lung cells, respectively. Together, our findings indicate that the combination of enhancer/repressor elements within the proximal 5'-flanking region of rat AQP5 gene dictates its restricted expression in both lung and salivary cells.

Oxidative stress disrupts glucocorticoid hormone-dependent transcription of the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel alpha-subunit in lung epithelial cells through ERK-dependent and thioredoxin-sensitive pathways

The amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) plays a critical role in the maintenance of alveolar fluid balance. It is generally accepted that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can inhibit ENaC activity and aggravate acute lung injury; however, the molecular mechanism for free radical-mediated ENaC inhibition is unclear. Previously, we showed that the expression of the alpha-subunit of ENaC, alpha-ENaC, which is indispensable for ENaC activity, is repressed by Ras activation in salivary epithelial cells. Here, we investigated whether exogenous H(2)O(2) modulates alpha-ENaC gene expression in lung epithelial cells through a similar molecular mechanism. Utilizing transient transfection reporter assays and site-directed mutagenesis analyses, we found that the glucocorticoid response element (GRE), located at -1334 to -1306 base pairs of the alpha-ENaC 5'-flanking region, is the major enhancer for the stimulated alpha-ENaC expression in A549 lung epithelial cells. We further demonstrate that the presence of an intact GRE is necessary and sufficient for oxidants to repress alpha-ENaC expression. Consistent with our hypothesis, exogenous H(2)O(2)-mediated repression of alpha-ENaC GRE activity is partially blocked by either a specific inhibitor for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway activation, U0126, or dominant negative ERK, suggesting that, in part, activated ERK may mediate the repressive effects of H(2)O(2) on alpha-ENaC expression. In addition, overexpression of thioredoxin restored glucocorticoid receptor action on the alpha-ENaC GRE in the presence of exogenous H(2)O(2). Taken together, we hypothesize that oxidative stress impairs Na(+) transport activity by inhibiting dexamethasone-dependent alpha-ENaC GRE activation via both ERK-dependent and thioredoxin-sensitive pathways. These results suggest a putative mechanism whereby cellular redox potentials modulate the glucocorticoid receptor/dexamethasone effect on alpha-ENaC expression in lung and other tight epithelia.

Kinase activation of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase Etk/BMX alone is sufficient to transactivate STAT-mediated gene expression in salivary and lung epithelial cells

Etk/BMX is a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase that requires a functional phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase via the pleckstrin homology domain to be activated by cytokine. In the present study, a conditionally active form of Etk was constructed by fusing the hormone-binding domain of estrogen receptor (ER) to an amino terminus truncated form of Etk, PHDelta1-68Etk, to generate DeltaEtk:ER. In stably transfected Pa-4DeltaEtk:ER cells, the activity of DeltaEtk:ER was stimulated within minutes by the treatment of DeltaEtk:ER stimulant, estradiol, and sustained for greater than 24 h. A robust induction in the phosphorylation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins, including STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5, was accompanied with DeltaEtk:ER activation. Moreover, the conditionally activated Etk stimulated STAT1- and STAT5-dependent reporter activities by approximately 160- and approximately 15-fold, respectively, however, elicited only a modest STAT3-mediated reporter activation. Qualitatively comparable results were obtained in lung A549 cells, indicating that DeltaEtk:ER inducible system could function in an analogous fashion in different epithelial cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Etk activation alone augmented cyclin D1 promoter/enhancer activity via its STAT5 response element in both Pa-4DeltaEtk:ER and A549 cells. Altogether, these findings support the notion that the activation of Etk kinase is sufficient to transactivate STAT-mediated gene expression. Hence, our inducible DeltaEtk:ER system represents a novel approach to investigate the biochemical events following Etk activation and to evaluate the contribution by kinase activation of Etk alone or in conjunction with other signaling pathway(s) to the ultimate biological responses.

Biopharmaceutics of transmucosal peptide and protein drug administration: role of transport mechanisms with a focus on the involvement of PepT1

Non-invasive delivery of peptide and protein drugs will soon become a reality. This is due partly to a better understanding of the endogenous transport mechanisms, including paracellular transport, endocytosis, and carrier-mediated transport of mucosal routes of peptide and protein drug administration. This paper focuses on work related to the elucidation of structure-function, intracellular trafficking, and regulation of the intestinal dipeptide transporter, PepT1.

The gene expression of the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel alpha-subunit is regulated by antagonistic effects between glucocorticoid hormone and ras pathways in salivary epithelial cells

The functional expression of the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in select epithelia is critical for maintaining electrolyte and fluid homeostasis. Although ENaC activity is strictly dependent upon its alpha-subunit expression, little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which cells modulate alpha-ENaC gene expression. Previously, we have shown that salivary alpha-ENaC expression is transcriptionally repressed by the activation of Raf/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase pathway. Here, this work further investigates the molecular mechanism(s) by which alpha-ENaC expression is regulated in salivary epithelial Pa-4 cells. A region located between -1.5 and -1.0 kilobase pairs of the alpha-ENaC 5'-flanking region is demonstrated to be indispensable for the maximal and Ras-repressible reporter expression. Deletional analyses using heterologous promoter constructs reveal that a DNA sequence between -1355 and -1269 base pairs functions as an enhancer conferring the high level of expression on reporter constructs, and this induction effect is inhibited by Ras pathway activation. Mutational analyses indicate that full induction and Ras-mediated repression require a glucocorticoid response element (GRE) located between -1323 and -1309 base pairs. The identified alpha-ENaC GRE encompassing sequence (-1334/-1306) is sufficient to confer glucocorticoid receptor/dexamethasone-dependent and Ras-repressible expression on both heterologous and homologous promoters. This report demon- strates for the first time that the cross-talk between glucocorticoid receptor and Ras/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase signaling pathways results in an antagonistic effect at the transcriptional level to modulate alpha-ENaC expression through the identified GRE. In summary, this study presents a mechanism by which alpha-ENaC expression is regulated in salivary epithelial cells.

The amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel alpha-subunit is transcriptionally down-regulated in rat parotid cells by the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase pathway

Previous studies have shown that an inducible Raf-1 kinase protein, DeltaRaf-1:ER, activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)-signaling pathway, which is required for the transformation of the rat salivary epithelial cell line, Pa-4. Differential display polymerase chain reaction was employed to search for mRNAs repressed by DeltaRaf-1:ER activation. Through this approach, the gene encoding the alpha-subunit of the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (alpha-ENaC) was identified as a target of activated Raf-1 kinases. alpha-ENaC down-regulation could also be seen in cells treated with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-1-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), indicating that the repression of steady-state alpha-ENaC mRNA level was dependent upon the activity of protein kinase C, the target of TPA, as well. Pretreatment of cells with a specific inhibitor of the ERK kinase pathway, PD 98059, markedly abolished the down-regulation of alpha-ENaC expression, consistent with the hypothesis that the ERK kinase-signaling pathway is involved in TPA-mediated repression. Moreover, through the use of transient transfection assays with alpha-ENaC-reporter and activated Raf expression construct(s), we provide the first evidence that activation of the ERK pathway down-regulates alpha-ENaC expression at the transcriptional level. Elucidating the molecular programming that modulates the expression of the alpha-subunit may provide new insights into the modulation of sodium reabsorption across epithelia.

Molecular identification of a role for tyrosine 167 in the function of the human intestinal proton- coupled dipeptide transporter (hPepT1)

hPepT1 is a proton-coupled peptide transporter that mediates the absorption of di- and tripeptides. Here we show that tyrosine 167 (Y167) in transmembrane domain 5 (TMD5) of this 12-transmembrane spanning protein contributes to its transport function. We identified this particular amino acid by a computer model of the arrangement of the TMDs of hPepT1 and investigated its role by site-directed mutagenesis and dipeptide uptake studies. [3H]Gly-sar uptake in cells transiently transfected with Y167A-hPepT1 was abolished completely, even though the level of Y167A-hPepT1 expression by Western blot analysis and cell surface expression by immunofluorescence microscopy was similar to those of the wild type. Therefore, mutation affected transport function, but apparently not the steady-state protein level or trafficking of the transporter to the plasma membrane. Moreover, mutation of Y167 into phenylalanine, serine, or histidine all abolished gly-sar uptake in transfected HEK 293 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that Y167 plays an essential role in hPepT1 function, perhaps due to the unique chemistry of its phenolic side chain.

Transcriptional regulation of salivary proline-rich protein gene expression

Mechanisms governing gene expression and regulation in eukaryotes are remarkably complex. The results from in vivo transgenic and in vitro transfection studies designed to identify cis-element(s) and trans-factor(s) associated with the salivary proline-rich proteins (PRPs) gene expression are utilized as a paradigm to discuss the regulation of salivary-specific gene expression. Particular attention is given to the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the salivary PRP R15 gene regulation. In rodents, the PRPs are selectively expressed in the acinar cells of salivary glands, and are inducible by the beta-agonist isoproterenol as well as by dietary tannins. The results from a series of experiments using chimeric reporter constructs containing different lengths of the R15 distal enhancer region, their mutations, and various expressing constructs are analyzed and discussed. These data suggest that the inducible nuclear orphan receptor NGFI-B may participate in the regulation of salivary acinar cell-specific and inducible expression of the rat R15 gene via three distinct distal NGFI-B sites. Taken together, a model for the induction of R15 gene expression by isoproterenol is proposed. However, the exact molecular basis of this NGFI-B-mediated transactivation of cAMP-regulated R15 expression remains to be established.

Oncogenic raf-1 induces the expression of non-histone chromosomal architectural protein HMGI-C via a p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent pathway in salivary epithelial cells

The enzyme activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) increases in response to agents acting on a variety of cell surface receptors, including receptors linked to heterotrimeric G proteins. In this report, we demonstrated that Raf-1 protein kinase activity in the mouse parotid glands was induced by chronic isoproterenol administration in whole animals. To investigate the molecular nature underlying cellular responses to Raf-1 activation, we have stably transfected rat salivary epithelial Pa-4 cells with human Raf-1-estrogen receptor fusion gene (DeltaRaf-1:ER) and used mRNA differential display in search of messages induced by DeltaRaf-1:ER activation. Through this approach, the gene encoding non-histone chromosomal protein HMGI-C was identified as one of the target genes activated by oncogenic Raf-1 kinase. Activation of Raf-1 kinase resulted in a delayed and sustained increase of HMGI-C expression in the Pa-4 cells. The induction of HMGI-C mRNA level is sensitive to both the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide and transcription inhibitor actinomycin D. The role of the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in the HMGI-C induction was highlighted by the result that the MAP kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD 98059, blocked DeltaRaf-1:ER- and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-stimulated HMGI-C induction. Altogether, these findings support the notion that the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling module, at least in part, regulates transcriptional activation of the chromosomal architectural protein HMGI-C.

Regulation of salivary-gland-specific gene expression

The results from in vivo transgenic and in vitro transfection studies designed to identify cis-element(s) and transfactor(s) governing the salivary proline-rich proteins (PRPs), amylase, and parotid secretory protein (PSP) gene expression are utilized as a paradigm to discuss the regulation of salivary-specific gene expression. Particular attention is given to the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the salivary PRP R15 gene regulation. In rodents, the PRPs are selectively expressed in the acinar cells of salivary glands, and are inducible by the beta-agonist isoproterenol and by dietary tannins. The results from a series of experiments using chimeric reporter constructs containing different lengths of the R15 distal enhancer region, their mutations, and various expressing constructs are analyzed and discussed. These data suggest that the inducible nuclear orphan receptor NGFI-B may participate in the regulation of salivary acinar-cell-specific and inducible expression of the rat R15 gene via three distinct distal NGFI-B sites. Taken together, a model for the induction of R15 gene expression by Ipr is proposed. However, the exact molecular basis of this NGFI-B-mediated transactivation of cAMP-regulated R15 expression remains to be established.

Involvement of nuclear orphan receptor NGFI-B in transcriptional activation of salivary-specific R15 gene by cAMP

Proline-rich proteins (PRPs) are selectively expressed in the acinar cells of the salivary glands and are inducible by beta-agonist isoproterenol and dietary tannins. In the previous studies of rat PRP gene, R15, the 5'-flanking region up to -1.7 kilobase pairs (kb), which was thought to contain the necessary proximal regulatory elements, failed to confer the catecholamine isoproterenol and dietary tannin inducibility to the transgene expression in the salivary glands of transgenic mice. Here we analyzed distal 5'-flanking region of R15 in order to understand the mechanisms of tissue-specific and inducible gene regulation. An upstream regulatory region located between -2.4 and -1.7 kb of the R15 5'-flanking region is demonstrated to be indispensable for the salivary-specific and inducible reporter gene expression in vivo, by transgenic approach. Element(s) within the 0.7-kb (-2.4 to -1.7) region that is able to cis-activate the expression of a heterologous reporter gene expression is further elucidated by transient transfection assays in vitro. Three distinct nuclear orphan receptor NGFI-B regulatory sequences are identified within a 184-base pair (bp) minimal control region extended from -1995 to -1812 nucleotides relative to the transcription start site. When reporter gene containing this 184-bp control region and heterologous promoter was cotransfected with the NGFI-B expression construct, a transactivation that mimics the effect of cAMP is observed in the parotid cells. Finally, mutations on all three identified NGFI-B binding sites and coexpression of a dominant negative mutant construct, pCMV-NGFI-B(Delta25-195), abolish this transactivation mediated by NGFI-B. In summary, these data suggest that the inducible nuclear orphan receptor NGFI-B may participate in the regulation of salivary acinar cell-specific and inducible expression of the rat R15 gene via three distinct distal NGFI-B sites.

Expression of human squamous cell differentiation marker, SPR1, in tracheobronchial epithelium depends on JUN and TRE motifs

Tracheobronchial epithelial (TBE) cells that normally do not express the squamous cell differentiation marker gene, SPR1, can be induced to produce it by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The regulation of SPR1 gene expression by TPA occurs, in part, at the transcriptional level in primary human and monkey TBE cells. Using a transient transfection assay, we observed that TPA stimulates the activity of the reporter gene, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, by 2-4-fold in transfected TBE cells. However, this chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity is cell type-specific with significantly less activity in transformed epithelial cell lines and no activity in non-epithelial cell types. TPA-dependent stimulation can also be demonstrated by co-transfection with plasmid DNAs that overexpress the JUN family of proteins, especially c-JUN. Overexpression of c-JUN and TPA treatment synergistically stimulate the SPR1 promoter activity by more than 40-fold. Deletion analysis of the promoter region demonstrates that the DNA fragment of the first 98 base pairs of the 5'-flanking region contains the basal promoter activity, while the region between -162 and -96 contains the cis-enhancer elements for both the basal and TPA/c-JUN-stimulating promoter activities. This observation is supported by in vivo genomic footprinting studies that reveal persistent protections in the following motifs of this region: -141 TRE, -131 GT, -123 ETS-like, and -111 TRE-like motifs and in the enhanced protections in -141 TRE and -111 TRE-like motifs in cells after the TPA treatment. Site-directed mutagenesis in this region demonstrates the involvement of both -141 TRE and -111 TRE-like motifs in TPA/c-JUN-dependent stimulation as well as enhanced basal transcriptional activity. However, it is primarily the -111 TRE-like motif that is involved in the mediation of the enhanced basal promoter activity of the human SPR1 gene. These results are further supported by gel mobility shift assays that demonstrate the involvement of c-JUN and these TRE motifs in the formation of the DNA-protein complex.

Molecular cloning of a novel protein regulated by opioid treatment of NG108-15 cells

A new cDNA clone, NGD5, has been identified from a subtraction cDNA library constructed with mRNA isolated from control neuroblastoma x glioma NG108-15 cells and cells treated for 48 h with the delta-opioid agonist, D-Ala2, D-Leu5 enkephalin (DADLE). NGD5 mRNA is decreased, in a naloxone-reversible manner, upon long-term treatment of NG108-15 cells with DADLE, indicating that this clone may be related to opioid receptor function. Northern analysis indicates that NGD5 mRNA is expressed in rat brain. Two similar nearly full-length NGD5 clones, NGD5A and NGD5B, were isolated from a lambda gt10 NG108-15 cDNA library and sequenced. The predicted 40-kDa peptide encoded for by the NGD5 cDNA has no significant homology to the recently cloned mu, delta or kappa opioid receptors nor to any other known proteins.

Hamster monomorphic arylamine N-acetyltransferase: expression in Escherichia coli and purification

N-Acetylation is a major pathway in the metabolism of hydrazine and arylamine drugs, and has been associated with carcinogen bioactivation. Monomorphic hamster liver N-acetyltransferase (NAT1) cDNA was cloned from hamster liver cells by reverse transcriptase-coupled polymerase chain reaction. The determined nucleotide sequence was identical to that reported for NAT1. The NAT1 coding region was subcloned into the pG1 yeast expression vector, but cell extracts provided only transient acetyltransferase activity. In addition, cDNA was subcloned into the expression vectors pFLAG-ATS and pFLAG-MAC. The latter vectors encoded a tac promoter and appended a low-molecular weight (1 kDa) hydrophilic FLAG marker peptide to the amino terminus of NAT1. Unexpectedly, periplasmic export of FLAGATS-NAT1 by the ompA signal peptide of pFLAG-ATS proved to be detrimental to enzyme activity. High acetyltransferase activity, however, was obtained when the fusion protein was expressed in the cytosol. Enzyme purified to homogeneity by immunoaffinity chromatography exhibited substrate specificity comparable to that of the hamster-derived protein.

Isolation of a cDNA encoding a novel zinc-finger protein from neuroblastoma x glioma NG108-15 cells

A subtraction cDNA library was constructed from control hybrid NG108-15 (mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma) cells and NG108-15 cells which had been treated for 48 h with the delta-opioid agonist D-Ala2-D-Leu5 enkephalin (DADLE) to down-regulate the delta-opioid receptor on these cells. Among the clones isolated from this library was NGD16-4, a 2768-bp clone encoding a putative 64-kDa protein containing 14 tandemly repeated zinc fingers (Zf) with high homology to the Krüppel family of Zf proteins. NGD16-4 also contains a region homologous to the A element of the Krüppel Associated Box (KRAB) domain, a domain recently linked to transcriptional repression. Southern and Northern analyses indicate that NGD16-4 is derived from the mouse genome. Northern analysis also demonstrates that expression of NGD16-4 mRNA is much higher in several mouse neuroblastoma cell lines than in mouse brain or other tissues. Although the function of NGD16-4 is unclear, the expression pattern of NGD16-4 indicates a possible association with the processes of differentiation or transformation in the mouse.

Cloning of human and mouse brain cDNAs coding for S1, the second member of the mammalian elongation factor-1 alpha gene family: analysis of a possible evolutionary pathway

We previously reported the cloning of a rat S1 cDNA whose deduced amino acid sequence shares high similarity (92%) with that of mammalian elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1 alpha), a protein involved in the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome during peptide synthesis. We report here the isolation of a full-length cDNA from a mouse brain library and a partial-length cDNA from a human hippocampus library which share extensive sequence similarity to rat S1 cDNA. We show that, as with mammalian EF-1 alpha S, the predicted primary amino acid sequences of rat, mouse, and human S1 are almost identical, except for one conservative substitution. These results indicate that mouse and man contain a second member of the EF-1 alpha gene family, the S1 gene. They also suggest that our result obtained in rat may be extrapolated to mouse and man.

Control of keratin gene expression by vitamin A in tracheobronchial epithelial cells

Vitamin A (retinol) treatment induces (and/or enhances) mucous cell differentiation and alters keratin gene expression in cultured airway epithelial cells of human and nonhuman primate origin. We observed that retinol greatly reduced the synthesis of keratins 5, 6, 14, 16, and 17, but slightly enhanced keratins 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 18, and 19. These changes were also reflected at the mRNA level as demonstrated by cell-free translation and by cDNA cloning of human keratin genes based on differential hybridization. One of these cDNA clones, HT27, isolated from the cDNA library of human tracheobronchial epithelial cells and whose expression in cultured cells was greatly suppressed by retinol, had a nucleotide sequence identical to the C-terminus of keratin 16. The identity of this clone was further confirmed by Western blot analysis using an antibody specific to the 15-amino acid synthetic peptide and the C-terminal sequence. Using this cDNA clone and two known keratin clones, pKA1 (keratins 5 and 6) and pKB2 (keratin 14), we found the levels of these corresponding mRNAs in cultured cells to be reduced 10- to 25-fold after treatment of cells with vitamin A. The inhibition was time- and dose-dependent with respect to retinol and was sensitive to prior treatment with cycloheximide. However, nuclear run-on transcriptional assays revealed no significant reduction of the synthesis of these messages in retinol-treated cultures. Furthermore, no change in the half-life of these mRNAs was observed in cells after the retinol treatment. Based on these results, we conclude that vitamin A indirectly controls the synthesis of these keratins at the post-transcriptional level.

The helix-loop-helix proteins (salivary-specific cAMP response element-binding proteins) can modulate cAMP-inducible RP4 gene expression in salivary cells

Salivary-specific and cAMP-inducible expression of the rat proline-rich protein gene RP4 is dependent on a 28-base pair sequence of a salivary-specific cAMP response element (SCRE) (Lin, H. H., and Ann, D. K. (1992) Gene Expression 2, 365-377). To unravel its trans-acting factor(s), we used double-stranded oligoprobes corresponding to the SCRE to screen a randomly primed lambda gt11 cDNA expression library made from RNA of rat salivary cells. In this report, we describe the cDNA cloning of these helix-loop-helix SCRE-binding proteins (SCBPs) and demonstrate that there are at least three isoforms in salivary cells, namely SCBP alpha, SCBP beta, and SCBP gamma. RNA polymerase chain reaction and sequence analyses further confirmed the existence of these three different SCBP isoforms, which code for putative proteins of 707, 706, and 682 amino acids, respectively. Expression of the cloned SCBP cDNAs in salivary cells stimulates the expression of a cotransfected reporter construct containing multicopies of the SCRE cloned upstream of the thymidine kinase promoter and the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase structural gene. This stimulation is much more pronounced in transfections in which SCBP alpha and SCBP beta are cotransfected than when they are transfected individually. Furthermore, when low concentrations of SCBP alpha and SCBP beta are cotransfected with the SCRE reporter gene, coexpression of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A is required to efficiently activate the expression of the reporter gene. These results strongly suggest that the observed stimulation of the SCRE is achieved through the coordinated expression of the SCBP alpha, SCBP beta, and protein kinase A activities, perhaps via a direct association of the two SCBPs and their phosphorylation by protein kinase A. We conclude that the isolated SCBP alpha and SCBP beta cDNAs encode transcription activators that participate in the control of the inducible RP4 gene expression in salivary cells.

Macaque salivary proline-rich protein: structure, evolution, and expression

Proline-rich proteins are a family of proteins that exhibit unique features including an unusual high proline content and salivary-specificity. As a major constituent in the salivary secretion of higher primates, proline-rich proteins may have biological roles in oral lubrication and protection. In this article, the genomic structure and regulation by cAMP of one of the macaque salivary proline-rich protein genes, MnP4, is reviewed. The evolution of this multigene family of proteins is also discussed.

Isoproterenol/tannin-dependent R15 expression in transgenic mice is mediated by an upstream parotid control region

Transgenic mice were used to locate the cis-acting DNA elements that are essential for tissue-specific and inducible expression of the rat proline-rich protein gene, R15. Chimeric genes with up to 10 kb of R15 5'-flanking region fused to chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) or polyomaviral large T-antigen (PyLT) reporter genes were tested. Our results demonstrate that (1) the isoproterenol/tannin-inducible, parotid-specific transgene expression requires an upstream cis-regulatory domain, namely the parotid control region, which extends from -6 to -1.7 kb of the R15 gene; (2) this parotid control region functions with a heterologous promoter and is indispensable for achieving a reproducible chromosomal position-independent transgene expression; (3) deletion of the R15 5'-flanking region up to -1.7 kb results in a pleiotropic effect on the transgene expression, which includes ectopic (nonsalivary) reporter expression and lack of inducibility by either the beta-agonist isoproterenol or dietary tannin stimulation; (4) when the -10 to -6 kb region from the R15 gene is deleted in the construct, the inducible expression in the parotid glands of the transgenic mice decreases by over 30-fold, but position-independent and tissue-specific transgene expression is retained. Moreover, the mechanism of induction by either catecholamine isoproterenol or dietary tannin appears to be through a beta 1-adrenergic receptor-mediated pathway for both normal (non-transgenic) and transgenic animals.

Reciprocal expression of c-jun, proline-rich protein and amylase genes during rat parotid salivary gland development

We have investigated the temporal expression and cellular localization of the c-jun proto-oncogene and two major rat parotid gland secretory protein genes, PRP (proline-rich protein) and amylase, during postnatal development. c-jun mRNA steady-state levels increased at days 1, 7 and 14 after birth and decreased to basal levels at 21 days and older. PRP mRNA was first detected at 14 days and abruptly increased to adult levels at day 21. Amylase transcripts were first seen at day 7 and progressively increased to adult levels by 28 days. In situ hybridization demonstrated c-jun mRNA accumulation in the differentiating acinar cells and the ducts. The c-jun mRNA accumulation with time corresponds with the proliferative activity reported to occur in these two cellular populations. PRP transcripts were present exclusively in the well differentiated acinar cells while the accumulation of amylase mRNA corresponded to the progressive commitment of parotid cells to acinar differentiation. Our data suggest that during the postnatal development of the rat parotid gland: (a) c-jun expression associates with parotid gland proliferation and precedes the expression of PRP and amylase genes, and (b) activation of PRP and amylase genes is not concomitant and apparently occurs only in differentiating acinar cells.

Specific reduction of delta-opioid receptor binding in transfected NG108-15 cells

We have recently identified and sequenced the cDNA for an opioid-binding protein with homologies to cell adhesion molecules (OBCAM) (Schofield, P. R., McFarlard, K. C., Hayflick, J. S., Wilcox, J. N., Cho, T. M., Roy, S., Lee, N. M., Loh, H. H., and Seeburg, P. H. (1989) EMBO J. 8, 489-495). Several lines of evidence using antibodies suggest that OBCAM may play a functional role in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma cells, a useful model system that contains a homogeneous population of delta-opioid receptors. A logical extension of this research is to further test this hypothesis. As part of this study, NG108-15 cells were stably transfected with either sense or antisense sequences of a portion of pROM, the rat cDNA for OBCAM. [3H] Diprenorphine binding was greatly reduced in antisense-transfected cells relative to non-transfected cells. Binding to alpha 2-adrenergic, muscarinic, and insulin receptors was unaffected. These results further support the notion that OBCAM or its analogue is part (or a subunit) of an opioid receptor. Furthermore, our observation of an apparently specific reduction in opioid binding in these transfected cells suggests that they may provide a novel genetic approach for studying regulation of the opioid receptor in this defined cell line.

Characterization of the statin-like S1 and rat elongation factor 1 alpha as two distinctly expressed messages in rat

Previously, we reported a rat S1 protein that is antigenically related to statin, a nonproliferating cell-specific marker; however, it shares high homology with the known human elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1 alpha). To differentiate S1 from rat EF-1 alpha and to study their respective regulation for expression, a rat EF-1 alpha cDNA clone was isolated and characterized. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of this partial rat EF-1 alpha cDNA are compared with that of human and mouse as well as with rat S1. Both their messages were detected in rat brain by EF-1 alpha- or S1-specific probes. However, the mRNA encoding EF-1 alpha is more abundant than that encoding S1. S1 and EF-1 alpha expression were investigated in the parotid and submandibular glands of untreated rats and those treated with isoproterenol, a proliferation-inducing catecholamine. Quantitative solution hybridization demonstrated a dramatic reduction (approximately 68%) in the S1 mRNA following isoproterenol injection in proliferation-responsive parotid glands and a mild reduction (approximately 20%) of S1 steady-state messages in the proliferation-refractile submandibular glands. A slight increase or no changes of EF-1 alpha levels in both parotid and submandibular glands following isoproterenol treatment are also observed. Therefore, the EF-1 alpha and S1 genes are different genes, both expressed and regulated in vivo, but in differential quantitative and qualitative patterns.

Isoproterenol downregulation of statin-related gene expression in the rat parotid gland

Statin, a 57 kilodalton (kDa) nuclear protein, is characteristically found in nonproliferating cells in culture as well as nondividing cells of a wide range of highly differentiated tissues. Moreover, cells in culture that are statin positive lose this statin expression when re-entering the cell-cycle traverse. In this work, statin expression was investigated in the parotid gland of untreated rats and those treated with isoproterenol (IPR), a proliferation-inducing catecholamine. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy revealed specific nuclear staining with anti-statin monoclonal antibody (S-44) in the acinar and ducts cells of the untreated rats but significantly reduced in those induced with isoproterenol. To characterize the protein recognized by S-44, protein extracts from both tissues were immunoblotted and incubated with S-44. The antibody reacted specifically with a 48 kDa protein in the extract of the parotid glands from untreated rats while no reaction was detected in that of the proliferation-induced ones. These observations along with the result that a statin-like (S1) transcript is downregulated by isoproterenol in the parotid glands further support the notion that the disappearance of statin-related expression is associated with the IPR-induced proliferation in the rat parotid glands. The discrepancy between the apparent molecular mass of the protein identified by S-44 in nonproliferating parotid cells and that of statin originally found in fibroblasts, suggests that either a modified form of statin may be present in the parotid gland, or this 48 kDa protein may be a member of the nonproliferative statin-like family.

Sequence and expression of the MnP4 gene encoding basic proline-rich protein in macaque salivary glands

We report here the macaque MnP4 cDNA and genomic sequences which encode a basic proline-rich protein (PRP), which is synthesized in macaque parotid gland and submandibular gland. The locations of intron positions and the prototype of the tandem 20-amino-acid repeat motif with the sequence, PPPPGKPQGPPQQGGNKPQG, in MnP4, were compared to those in related genes encoding PRP and glutamic/glutamine-rich proteins (GRP) in humans and rodents. Exceedingly high homology of the first exon and 40-bp region immediately upstream of exon I is observed with other PRP genes of all species studied. In order to identify the regulatory elements involved in control of MnP4 gene expression, a rat submandibular gland-derived cell line (RSMT-A5) was transfected with MnP4-cat constructs that contained the promoter and 5'-flanking regions of the macaque MnP4 gene fused to the bacterial cat gene. Deletion analysis revealed that putative positive and negative regulatory elements reside between nucleotides (nt) -107 and +5, and nt -586 and -108, respectively. As part of this study, the promoter of the macaque MnP4 gene appears to be salivary gland specific. This salivary gland-specific gene expression attests to the complexity of transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes.

Isolation and characterization of the rat chromosomal gene for a polypeptide (pS1) antigenically related to statin

Increasing evidence shows the existence of nonproliferation-specific gene(s) whose expression is mostly present in growth-arrested cells. One member of this gene family has been identified by previous work as a nuclear protein of 57,000 Da, termed statin. Logical extensions of statin research are to identify the genomic and cDNA clones encoding for statin and to study the regulation of statin gene expression. During the search for the statin gene, we have identified a cDNA clone and a genomic clone named S1 and S10, respectively, by screening a rat brain lambda gt11 expression library with the statin antibody and subsequently using S1 cDNA as a probe to screen a rat genomic cosmid library. Here, we report the cloning and sequencing of the S1 cDNA and S10 genomic clones. Primary sequence analyses indicate that the derived amino acid sequence of S1 shares high homology (greater than 92.6%) with human elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha), whereas the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions are less than 20% homologous. Despite the unusually high degree of similarity between S1 and human EF-1 alpha at the amino acid sequence level, their protein products are different and immunologically distinct. The in vitro transcription and translation product of S1 (pS1), a 49,000-Da polypeptide, reacts only with the monoclonal antibody against statin; this antibody exhibits no antigenic reaction to the EF-1 alpha protein. Northern blot analysis shows that the S1 message is most abundant in G0 phase of 3T3 mouse fibroblasts, but becomes significantly reduced in G1 and S phase cells. EF-1 alpha messages do not show such dramatic changes during cell cycle phase transition. These findings suggest that the expression of the identified S1 cDNA clone is specific for nonproliferating cells and that the in vitro translation product of the S1 cDNA is recognized by the statin antibody. Genomic Southern blots indicate that S1 cDNA is encoded by a single copy gene in the rat genome and is a unique member of the EF-1 alpha/S1 supermultigene family. DNA sequence analysis demonstrates that the rat S1 transcription unit is 12 kilobase pairs in length and contains seven introns. The organization of exons is virtually identical between S1 and human EF-1 alpha. In contrast, neither a TATA box nor a CAAT box is located in the proximal 5'-flanking regions from positions -1 to -1359 of the S1 gene, where we could expect to find the regulatory region containing the elements controlling gene expression; no evident sequence homology to the human EF-1 alpha gene is detected in this region.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Molecular characterization of rat multigene family encoding proline-rich proteins

Three members of the rat proline-rich protein multigene family have been characterized. Each of these genes, RP4, RP13, and RP15, contains three exons and they are approximately 4.8, 5.7, and 5.4 kb, respectively. The DAN sequences of RP4 and RP13 are greater than 93% homologous in the 3.1-kb segment extending from the 5'-upstream region (approximately nucleotide -930) to 238 nucleotides after the second exon/intron junction; however, regions further downstream, intron II and exon III, share less than 43% identity. In contrast, exon III from RP15, RP13, and the previously sequenced mouse PRP gene MP2 are more than 73% conserved. These analyses suggest that the duplication of the ancestral genes to RP13 and RP4 occurred prior to the divergence of the rat PRP genes. The results also indicate that in the past 21.5 million years, multiple recombination events have resulted in a very high degree of divergence among intron II and exon III of RP4 and RP13. This divergence is due in part to the insertion of members of the rat long interspersed repeat DNA family at -930 bp upstream from the transcription initiation site and within intron II of RP13. Comparisons of the nucleotide sequences and organization of exon I with the genomic organization of PRP and glutamic acid/glutamine-rich protein genes in this and previous studies reveal striking resemblance among these genes. These observations are consistent with the notion that this super multigene family arose from duplication of progenitor genes via unequal crossing over events. In addition, the results suggest that concerted evolution has occurred within the tandemly repeated motif of exon II.

Molecular evolution of the mouse proline-rich protein multigene family. Insertion of a long interspersed repeated DNA element

Proline-rich proteins (PRPs) in the salivary glands of mice, rats, and hamsters are encoded by tissue-specific inducible multigene families. Mouse PRP genes are located on chromosome 8, and transcription is dramatically induced (about 70-fold) by isoproterenol treatment. Clones containing two nonallelic PRP genes (MP2 and M14) were isolated from cosmid and phage libraries of CD-1 mouse genomic DNA. The cloned regions comprise a contiguous block of 77 kilobase pairs of the mouse genome. Restriction mapping established the physical lineage of PRP genes MP2 and M14, and they are tandemly arrayed. The DNA sequence analysis presented in this report suggests that genes M14 and MP2 (Ann, D. K., and Carlson, D. M. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 15863-15872) arose via a gene duplication of a common ancestor. Two major differences between M14 and MP2 were observed. PRP gene MP2 has 13 tandemly arrayed 42-nucleotide repeats in exon II, whereas M14 has 17 repeats, and PRP gene M14 has an insertion by transposition of a 2-kilobase pair member of the long interspersed repeated DNA (LINE) family (LIMd) into intron I. The evolution of this PRP multigene family has been dominated by intra-exonic amplification of repeating nucleotide units coding for these and other proline-rich repeated peptides and by gene duplication. The LIMd element gives rise to heterogenous EcoRI, BamHI, and HindIII restriction enzyme patterns, and this insertion is also present in BALB/c, C57BL/6J, and DBA/2J mice.

Retinol-regulated gene expression in human tracheobronchial epithelial cells. Enhanced expression of elongation factor EF-1 alpha

Conducting airway epithelial cells requires vitamin A or its synthetic chemicals (retinoids) for their survival and for the expression of normal mucociliary functions. By using molecular cloning, we have shown that one of the effects of retinol on cultured human tracheobronchial epithelial (HTBE) cells is the enhancement (from 2- to 4-fold) of the mRNA encoding the elongation factor EF-1 alpha. Sequence analysis has shown that clone HT7, which was identified by differential hybridization procedures, contained a cDNA insert which encoded a protein closely resembling (81%) elongation factor EF-1 alpha from brine shrimp and completely identical to the published sequence of human elongation factor EF-1 alpha (Brands, H.H.G.M., Maassen, J.A., Van Hemert, F.J., Amons, R., and Moller, W. (1986) Eur. J. Biochem. 155, 167-171). Regions of homology of HT7 to EF-Tu from yeast mitochondria, plant chloroplasts, and Escherichia coli are also evident. A single RNA band at 1700 bases was observed for both untreated and retinol-treated HTBE cells, and for mouse liver and parotid glands when Northern transfer from denaturing agarose gel was probed with a 32P-labeled HT7 insert. An enhanced amino acid incorporation and increased protein content per cell for HTBE cells grown in the presence of retinol were observed. Results presented by these studies indicate that retinol may regulate the transcription of a factor required for translation.

The preparation of poly(A)+mRNA from the hagfish slime gland

The isolation of translatable poly(A)+mRNA from the slime glands of the Pacific hagfish, Eptatretus stouti, is not possible by the commonly used procedures because of the viscous slime that is formed when the contents of the glands are hydrated. This paper reports on a procedure developed to overcome this problem. Briefly, the tissue was powdered in liquid nitrogen, mixed with sodium lauroylsarcosine and proteinase K and lyophilized. The lyophilized powder was then mixed with 0.3 mm diameter glass beads, thoroughly ground and wetted with buffer and digested at 37 degrees C. The RNA from the digest was recovered by ultracentrifugation through a CsCl cushion. Further purification of the RNA was accomplished by the usual methods with slight modifications.

Induction of proline-rich proteins in hamster salivary glands by isoproterenol treatment and an unusual growth inhibition by tannins

Treatment of hamsters with the beta-agonist isoproterenol caused a dramatic increase in a series of unusual proteins in the parotid and submandibular glands. These proteins are acid soluble and they contain high amounts (mol%) of glutamate plus glutamine (30-35), proline (23-30), and glycine (12-25). Three proteins (HP45, HP43a, and HP43b) were isolated from trichloroacetic acid extracts of parotid glands of isoproterenol-treated hamsters. The basic protein (HP45) was not retained by DEAE-cellulose and did not contain phosphate or carbohydrate. Two acidic proteins (HP43a and HP43b) had the same apparent molecular weight on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but these were separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. HP43a and HP43b contained 4.3 and 5.7 phosphate residues/mol of protein, respectively. Levels of mRNAs encoding this series of proteins showed striking increases following isoproterenol treatment as determined by cell-free translations and Northern analysis. Feeding tannins to rats and mice mimicks the effects of isoproterenol treatment on the parotid gland (Mehansho, H., Hagerman, A., Clements, S., Butler, L., Rogler, J., and Carlson, D.M. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80, 3948-3952; Mehansho, H., Clements, S., Sheares, B. T., Smith, S., and Carlson, D. M. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 4418-4423]. However, hamsters on a high tannin diet (2%) did not respond like rats and mice and instead displayed an unusual growth inhibition. Weanling hamsters maintained on a 2% tannin diet initially lost weight for 3 days and then failed to gain weight for up to 6 months when kept on this diet. Essentially a normal growth rate was observed when the tannin-fed hamsters were switched to a normal diet.

Structure, organization, and regulation of a hamster proline-rich protein gene. A multigene family

Genomic DNA fragments bearing proline-rich protein (PRP) genes expressed specifically in hamster parotid glands have been isolated and characterized. Complete exonic sequences as well as intronic and a considerable portion of the flanking sequences are reported for a PRP gene, H29. H29 is interrupted by three intervening sequences, with consensus splice junctions, and it likely encodes the acidic hamster PRP Hp43a. Exceedingly high homology of the 5'-untranslated region and the sequence encoding the signal peptide is observed with other PRPs of all species studied. Significant homology was also detected among the repetitive sequences of the mature acidic PRPs from human, mouse, hamster, and rat. This conservation of the internal repeats of the PRPs suggested that proline-rich protein gene evolution involved intragenic duplication of internal repeats and gene duplication and conversion. Both hamster and mouse PRP genes (H29 and mouse proline-rich protein gene, respectively) share considerable sequence similarity in the 5'-flanking regions for about 100 base pairs upstream. The remainder of the upstream sequences were heterologous except for three oligonucleotide regions with 60-70% sequence conservation. These three regions are thought to be involved in the regulation of the tissue-specific PRP gene induction.

Induction of tissue-specific proline-rich protein multigene families in rat and mouse parotid glands by isoproterenol. Unusual strain differences of proline-rich protein mRNAs

A dramatic induction of proline-rich protein mRNAs by the beta-agonist isoproterenol in the parotid and submandibular glands of both rats and mice has been demonstrated using Northern and dot-blot hybridizations and cell-free translation. Proline-rich protein mRNAs were either very low or not detectable in glands of control rats and mice. After 4 days of isoproterenol treatment, mRNAs encoding these unusual proteins comprised over 50% of the total glandular mRNAs. A 2-4-fold increase in proline-rich protein mRNAs was observed in rat parotid glands as soon as 4 h after treatment. The rat proline-rich protein multigene family encodes two groups of mRNAs with sizes ranging from 600 to 1100 bases. Cell-free translations gave about 10-12 proline-rich proteins. In glands of isoproterenol-treated mice, major species of proline-rich protein mRNAs were observed at 1050 and 1300 bases for BALB/cJ and DBA/2J mice and at 1100 and 1200 bases for CD-1 and C57BL/6J mice. Cell-free translations showed unusual differences in proteins synthesized from the four strains after isoproterenol treatment. AtT20 cells were transfected with a mouse proline-rich protein gene inserted into the plasmid pUC8 (pUMP2-BE). Transcription of proline-rich protein mRNA was induced by exposing these transfected cells to either isoproterenol or cAMP, plus theophylline.

The structure and organization of a proline-rich protein gene of a mouse multigene family

One gene of the mouse proline-rich protein multigene family was cloned on a 3.6-kilobase pair EcoRI/BglII DNA fragment from a (partial) Sau3A bacteriophage library of CD-1 mouse chromosomal DNA. Phage harboring the gene were identified by plaque hybridization using 32P-labeled proline-rich protein cDNA inserts from clones pRP33 and pMP1 obtained from rat and mouse, respectively. The transcriptional unit includes three exonic sequences separated by 1434 base pairs (intron I) and 450 base pairs (intron II). The complete primary structure of the gene and the 5' and 3' flanking regions (3595 base pairs) were determined by the Maxam and Gilbert (Maxam, A.M., and Gilbert, W. (1980) Methods Enzymol. 65, 499-560) sequencing method. The DNA on the 5' side of exon I contains several sequences that may be involved in the induction and expression of this mouse gene. These sequences include putative regulatory sites such as those considered to be inducible by cAMP and steroids, Z-DNA and enhancer sequences and the expected TATAA and CAAT boxes. The mature protein coding region, exon II, is not interrupted with intron sequences. Exon III is located in the nontranslated region and contains the poly(A) addition site. The deduced amino acid sequence showed that the protein encoded by this gene contains 13 tandemly repeat regions, each 14 amino acids in length, with the prototype sequence PPPPGGPQPRPPQG. Each amino acid within the repeat has a favored codon. The consensus DNA sequence for each repeat is CCA CCA CCA CCA GGA GGC CCA CAG CCG AGA CCC CCT CAA GGC. The high degree of conservation of both nucleotide and amino acid sequences within the repeat region suggests that proline-rich protein genes likely evolved by gene duplication of a 42-base pair internal repeat.